The Farrel-McWhirter Riding School

The Farrel-McWhirter Riding School (FMRS) offers year-round horseback riding lessons for children and adults of all skill levels. A leader in eastside equestrian education for over 20 years, the programs at FMRS specialize in offering affordable and high quality riding lessons. Small class sizes and outstanding professional instruction ensure a fun, educational, and safe equestrian experience for ages 2.5 through adult.

Our comprehensive and cutting edge curriculum allows instructors to track student development through progressively advanced classes specifically designed for age and ability level. Trail rides, workshops, pony rides, and our Advanced Custom Track lessons round out this incredible program. Please view our Riding School Brochure to see all the outstanding classes we offer.

Discover horses. Discover the freedom.

Class Descriptions

My Little Pony (2½-5 yrs old)

This class is the perfect opportunity to foster interest and build confidence for your 2.5 to 4 year old child. Each program will teach the basics of safety, grooming, saddling, and riding. Our smallest ponies are used in this program. Parent participation is encouraged.

Beginning Pony 101 (4-5 yrs old)

This multi-session class is designed for the younger riders who are ready to move beyond the My Little Pony experience, but not quite ready for the longer, more intense classes in the JHA series. Children are each assigned their own pony and will learn the basics of safety, grooming, saddling, and riding skills. This class is designed to be repeated.

Intro
For students with little or no previous riding experience. Intro classes are designed to be repeated to help develop the foundational skills of horsemanship, grooming, saddling and basic riding skills. Students that have mastered grooming, correct riding posture, reining an obstacle course off-lead, and who are able to perform a correct sitting trot will proceed to the Novice level.

Riding is a sport that needs consistency to build necessary muscles and coordination to advance. Every child will progress at their own speed, and progression will heavily depend on consistency. We recommend repeating the Intro classes 3 times before most children are ready to move on to the Novice level.

Novice classes will continue developing important horsemanship skills, confidence, balance, and strength. Novice level classes are designed to be repeated so riders can advance their skills and confidence while trotting, consistently retaining correct riding position, and working towards complete independence inside the arena. Riders should repeat this course until they can confidently perform independent grooming and saddling techniques, successful reining off-lead, sitting the trot off-lead, and begin work on posting trot skills.

Intermediate
Designed to offer an opportunity to ride consistently, and allow for a more rapid gain of skills, strength and confidence for students that have completed the Intro and Novice levels. This semi-private class is intended for riders with a mastery of basic horsemanship skills such as independent grooming and saddling techniques, successful reining off-lead, sitting the trot off-lead, and beginning posting trot skills. Advanced steering drills and trotting exercises will be introduced in preparation for canter work.

The pre-requisites for Intermediate levels are: a mastery of basic horsemanship skills, independent grooming and saddling, off-lead in walk and sitting trot, work started on posting trot skills, and a commitment to a more consistent riding schedule. The completion of 3 Novice lessons within the last 3 months is required to enroll in the Intermediate level courses. This course is designed to be repeated until students are ready to enroll into the Advanced Custom Lesson Program (requires Instructor approval).

Riders are encouraged to go back to the Novice level if they have not been able to attend regularly scheduled lessons until they have ridden in at least 3 lessons regularly again. This will help ensure that all riders in the Intermediate level are well prepared for the more advanced nature of these classes.

Adult Horsemanship 101

Learn the fundamentals of horsemanship. Gain confidence while learning the basics of safety, grooming, handling, and riding. This two session class allows for each rider to practice acquired skills as well as explore either English or Western riding styles. Participant's weight and height is restricted up to 180 pounds and 6'0 tall.

Family Trail Ride

Bring up to 4 members of your family to Farrel-McWhirter Park and enjoy a ride through the majestic forest. The trail ride leaves from the historic farm, meanders through the forest and meadow, over bridges, and past the salmon streams. A wonderful way for the whole family to enjoy some quality time on horseback viewing everything this unique park has to offer. Participant's weight and height is restricted up to 180 pounds and 6'0 tall.